EuthaNEWSia (www.euthanewsia.ca)

Unable to walk and stripped of her independence after living with multiple sclerosis for more than 20 years, former nurse Jill feels life has become an unbearable prison. The Australian grandmother has decided to stop taking the medication which prolongs her life and is prepared for a long death as fluid builds up in her body, eventually becoming fatal. "I think it will take time. I think it could be long and ugly but I can't suffer any more indignity than I already have," she said. "The humiliation of knowing an animal is given more compassion than a human being is beyond words."

The grandmother had previously attempted suicide and tried to buy illegal drugs to take an overdose but said she did want not to die in a "covert fashion". In a petition that was read to Parliament in 2008, Jill begged for legislation that would allow her children to be by her side at her death without fear of prosecution.

Jill's lawyer, John Hammond, said the 61-year-old's plight was "heartbreaking" and highlighted the need for a clear stance on legal voluntary euthanasia.

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Fox, Tiffany. "MS sufferer wants dignified death". The West Australian. February 3, 2010, 2:35 am. <au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/6753466/ms-sufferer-wants-dignified-death/>. The West Australian, GPO Box D162, Perth, WA 6840, AU.

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The EuthaNEWSia ID for this advisory is: enid201002035913.
Mailed: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 14:18:03 -0600
at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

EuthaNEWSia is a free Canadian news advisory service covering end-of-life issues such as right to die, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. EuthaNEWSia is produced by the Right to Die Society of Canada which works toward a good death for all, including open, regulated and equitable access to euthanasia and assisted suicide. The editor is Michael Dawson <editor@euthanewsia.ca>.

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